Cracked Teeth

Cracked teeth demonstrate many types of symptoms, including pain when chewing, temperature sensitivities, or even the release of biting pressure. It is also common for pain to come and go, making it difficult to diagnose the cause of discomfort.

Chewing can cause minor movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, and the pulp within the tooth becomes irritated. At the same time, when biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in sharp pain. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged and tooth will consistently hurt, even when you are not chewing. It is possible that cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the problematic tooth.

Types of Cracks

Craze lines

These are tiny cracks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. These cracks are more common in adults. These types of cracks are superficial and are usually of no concern.

Fractured Cusp

When a cusp becomes weakened, a fracture may result. The cusp may break off or be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal is not necessary. Your dentist will usually restore the tooth with a full crown.

Treatable Cracked Tooth

This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth and vertically migrates towards the root. In some cases, the crack may extend below the gum line. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Damage to the pulp is commonplace. In this case, root canal treatment is usually necessary. A cracked tooth that is not treated will worsen, resulting in the loss of the tooth. Therefore, early detection is essential.

Split Tooth

A split tooth is usually the result of an untreated cracked tooth. It can be identified by a crack with distinct segments. This type of tooth can never be saved intact. Yet, the position and extent of the problem will dictate whether any portion of the tooth can be saved. Sometimes, endodontic retreatment by the doctors and restoration by your dentist can be used to save a portion of the tooth.

Vertical Root Fracture

A vertical root fracture begins at the root and extends towards the chewing surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, they show minimal symptoms and may go unnoticed. Treatment involves endodontic surgery if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root. Otherwise, the tooth will have to be extracted.

Testimonials

"Thank you very much for taking care of my root canal. I was certainly nervous about the procedure. But you and your staff were calm, reassuring and predictive. The process went exactly as you described. I went from a mouth of pain to calm. You are certainly an expert and I am glad to have had a chance to be under your care."

"I am grateful and appreciative."
Regards,Michael S.

"Sincere thanks for fitting me into your schedule and doing the root canal. I appreciated it very much"
SincerelyPat Z.

"I appreciate the prompt and professional service of you and your staff. You have a cheerful and patient focused staff and a very comfortable office."
Thank-youHerb M.

"Just a note to express my gratitude to you for your professional services extended to me. What impressed me was the way you worked me into do the root canal….I was in great pain and you and your staff were marvelous from the moment I arrived at your office. You made it possible for me to experience no pain and very little discomfort. In a day when very few people express gratitude I don’t want to be in that group….so this note comes to thank you and your staff."Robert B.

"The circumstances for which I came to your office were unfortunate, however, the hands I had been placed in were ones I knew I could trust; gentle and competent. You even kept all your tools of your trade out of my view while you worked. I am sure that what you do you could do in your sleep – thanks for not nodding off on me."
Sincerely,Paige R.

"You and your staff are great"
Thank youJane V.

"I wanted to thank you for fitting, me into your busy schedule. You and your staff couldn’t have been more kind or helpful to me, especially considering how much pain I was in. Your kindness to a stranger, only there for a couple of days, will be remembered"
Thank you,Melanie H.

"Thank you for taking our family member on an emergency root canal basis. You had been highly recommended to us. It was an excellent job with excellent results. Thank you for your kindness and your understanding of our situation. God bless you, your staff, and your family."John M. Family

"Thank you for your excellent work on my root canal, and to your fine staff as well"Anthony M.

"Just had to thank you for your wonderful care – You’re wonderful and I appreciate you so much. Thank your wonderful staff also"Elaine R.

"Many thanks to you and your staff for the excellent care provided in resolving my root canal problems! You are a gifted dentist with excellent skills. Thanks for all you do for your patients who depend on you!"
Best wishes,Jon V.

"I am so grateful for your kind consideration and effort to make the time for my recent, emergency root canal. Thank you so much as we left for Europe and I was pain-free! You are true examples of “dedicated” professionals."
Sincerely,Bonnie G.

"I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful treatment I received during my root canal procedure. I can finally eat and drink "cold" once again. Thank you ever so much for your expertise and professionalism along with your warmth and kindness. If and when I need an endodontist again there is no doubt who I will choose. Most of all thank you for finding the problem tooth initially. I am most grateful."
Sincerely,Virginia A.

"I thought your service was exceptional. You handled my problem in a professional and courteous manner, and your staff was most accommodating. Thank you for your help in alleviating my problem. I will certainly recommend you to others in need of root canal service."Thomas G.